Bagged pecans sit in a line on the bottom of a wooden shelf. The new pecan research and promotion program has the authority to collect assessments for domestic and foreign grown pecans imported into the U.S. USDA announced the industry members on the new APPB

Evaluating Capital Investments

Investment in physical assets that can increase business productivity and support long-term growth, referred to as “capital investment,” is an important part of business management. Expenditures on land, buildings, and equipment represent a significant part of most business’s overall costs and, as such, require careful evaluation to ensure that the investments are economically prudent. In...

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Chart showing pecan prices supply and demand by the cobweb theory.

Cycles and Seasonal Patterns in Pecan Prices

In March’s article, we indicated that agricultural producers are often interested in diversifying their production operations to reduce risk, increase income potential, or gain greater control over products or services within the supply chain. One of the examples we provided in that article was building and operating an on-farm cold storage facility. An on-farm cold...

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A green bunch of pecan leaves with brown and shriveling edges. This leaflet shows symptoms of the emerging disease Pecan Bacterial Leaf Scorch, or Xylella fastidiosa.

Pecan bacterial leaf scorch is transmitted from pecan nuts to rootstock

Pecan bacterial leaf scorch is caused by the bacteria, Xylella fastidiosa, a plant pathogen that can infect at least 655 different plant species. Pecan bacterial leaf scorch (PBLS) is a chronic disease that can occur year after year and cause significant disease symptoms in susceptible cultivars. The disease is widespread across the southern pecan-growing region...

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Large container ship loaded with refrigerated and standard containers approaching port, assisted by two tugs and followed by pilot cutter.

Supply chain woes and the pecan industry

The term “supply chain” describes the organization of participants that produce, process, and distribute goods to consumers. Supply chains, especially those associated with food and fiber, have seen increased interest over the last several years and even more in the last several months. Many factors, including weather-related issues, issues associated with the COVID-19 global pandemic,...

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A nut cluster hidden behind the leaves.

A Quality Assurance Program and You

Consumers now more than ever are looking for further knowledge about their food. Food safety is a global expectation to do business, but that expectation has shifted to include sustainability as well. Customers want to know the company and people behind their food, understand its employee safety protocols, see the chemicals used when growing the...

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Change management plan with 6 steps: define a vision of change, determine readiness for change, align the vision of change among leaders, communicate goals and engage employees, train employees on the change, and encourage change adoption.

Change management in the pecan industry

The agri-food industry, including pecans, is constantly changing. Changes come in the form of new system implementations, government regulations, and new technologies that have evolved throughout the supply chain. For organizations to embrace and align with these changes, it often means a new way of doing things and a behavior change for employees at all...

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May 2021 Position Report shows pecans on the move

As eligible pecan growers across the United States cast their votes on the FMO, the American Pecan Council published its April and May 2021 Pecan Industry Position Reports over the last week. These most recent reports provide data on exports, inventory, and availability for the 2020/2021 crop year and add context to the current pecan...

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Left behind after harvest, a pecan hangs on a dormant tree in an orchard in College Station, Texas. The branch it is on cuts through the middle of the picture, while the tips of the tree's other branches dip into frame from the top.

January 2021 Position Report Shows Post-Holiday Slump

The American Pecan Council published the January 2021 Pecan Industry Position Report at the end of February, adding further context to a turbulent crop year and providing data on exports, inventory, and availability.  With harvest complete, pecan producers in the Northern Hemisphere prepare their orchards and businesses for the next crop. Hedging, planting new trees,...

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Early Season Pecan Inventory Data Shows Rise and Fall

The American Pecan Council released its Year-End Inventory Report for the 2019 Crop Year alongside the Pecan Industry Position Report for September 2020 several weeks ago. These most recent pecan reports provide data on U.S. handlers’ inventory and shipments at the start of the 2020 harvest season.   Amidst the ongoing battles against the coronavirus, pecan...

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Hands cradle pecan kernels over a large bin filled with pecans. Photo used to reflect U.S. handlers' large inventories as reported in October 2020 Position Report.

New Industry Data Shows More Pecans on the Move

American Pecan Council released its May 2020 Pecan Position Report at the end of June. This most recent report continues to reflect months of significant change as the coronavirus spread across the globe and many countries begin to exit lockdowns. At the same time, when compared to last year’s numbers, this report illustrates a year...

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Trade Wars Explained

For the last several months, one of the most contentious topics in the morning news, on social media, and around the table in my local coffee shop has been the trade war with China. Most days I can keep my mouth shut and just listen, but recently I feel compelled to educate readers on the...

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Two nut vouchers which show the kernel, inshell and color characteristics of the 'Fayette' variety.

Speaking of Family Trees…

New tools will help us understand and use some of our old favorite cultivars more efficiently. I had the chance to judge the Pecan Show in Brenham on Nov. 20, 2019. Kara Matheney, Washington County Extension Agent, and her Pecan Committee did a good job bringing in samples from Washington and Austin Counties in an...

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A satellite image of the USDA ARS Pecan Breeding and Genetics Program in Brownwood.

Family Trees: Generations & Propagations

Time gets divided into generations in our families and the social context of our culture. Some generational generalizations (Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials, Gen Z) are media hype, but some patterns are appropriate to recognize to maintain what functions well in our communities. The culture of trees carries the previous generations’ fingerprints in the even-aged...

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The 101 Series: How the APC Measures Success

The passage of the Federal Marketing Order (FMO) was a tremendous step forward for the American pecan industry and one that has created unprecedented marketing opportunities for all members of our industry. The American Pecan Council is committed to making the most effective use of industry funds as we continue to build momentum for American...

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The 101 Series: Transaction Models 101

Upon the completion of the American Pecan Council’s Strategic Planning Process, the APC with the help of the Boston Consulting Group identified five main areas of change and opportunity for the pecan industry. Although all five are vital to the success of the industry, one component—“the need to modernize transactions”—continues to receive the most questions....

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Optimize your profit, not your price

One of the most difficult aspects of running a successful business is determining how to market and price your product. Do you adopt a retail mentality with a one price policy, selling all of your crop to retail customers? Do you adopt a multitier pricing strategy and sell part of your crop to retail customers,...

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Part 2—Exploring the National Marketing Campaign, Q&A with the APC

The American Pecan Council launched pecans’ national brand and congruent marketing campaign just a little over five months ago. Since then, “The Original Supernut” has made appearances on “Good Morning America,” been featured in numerous national publications, and been promoted by food bloggers, dietitians, and influencers. But if you’re not looking for it, the marketing campaign...

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Challenges for the Expanding Pecan Industry in China

China has been the No. 1 importer for the pecan market since 2000, and import levels, in general, have shown a consistent upward trend since that time. Shipments to China accounted for 51 percent in 2017 of all American pecan exports compared to 44 percent in 2016. In recent years, pecan planting has boomed in...

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Back door to China – A China/Vietnam trade mission

The U.S. pecan industry was invited to attend a seminar and tour of the newly created “free trade zones” on the China and Vietnam border. The tour was held on July 10-12, 2013, in Nanning, China. The commercial trade zones were developed as a result of a 2010 trade agreement (ASEAN) between China, Vietnam and...

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An overview of the 2012/2013 pecan market

Unlike the almond, walnut and pistachio industries where 60 to 70 percent of their production is exported, until 2007, pecans were primarily consumed in North America. Supplies were sufficient to supply the North American market and a limited amount of export. Growers had little choice as to where they could sell their production and the...

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Cold Storage Pecans Total 240 Million Pounds

Pecans in cold storage totaled 240.5 million pounds, inshell basis, as of March 31, according to USDA’s most recent cold storage report. That number compares to 201 million pounds, inshell basis, for the same date a year ago. A month earlier, Feb. 29, 2012, cold storage pecan stocks had been 227 million pounds, inshell basis....

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Tough to Treat Pecan Insects This Year!

This has been one of those years to top all years for Texas agriculture. Most commodities are enjoying a time of all-time-high prices but here in Texas few producers are able to take full advantage of the increased value. Unseasonably high temperatures throughout the spring and summer combined with the lingering effects of drought and...

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Pecan Culture – Observations and Uncertainties

After more than 30 years of growing pecans in Osage County, Oklahoma, I have discovered that the more I learned about pecan culture, the more I found out that I didn’t know. Such is the case with many subjects! My orchard is about 10 miles east of Ponca City, Oklahoma. I purchased the land in...

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